One of the most common questions we get from expats is deceptively simple: "Which direction does my translation need to go?" The answer depends entirely on where the document came from and where it's headed. Here's a clear breakdown.
English to Spanish: Bringing US Documents to Ecuador
This is the most common direction for Americans moving to or living in Ecuador. You have documents issued in the United States (in English), and you need them translated into Spanish for use with Ecuadorian government agencies, institutions, or businesses.
When You Need English-to-Spanish Translation
Visa applications. Ecuador's immigration office (Cancillería) requires all supporting documents in Spanish. If your birth certificate, FBI background check, bank statements, pension letters, or insurance policies are in English, they need certified English-to-Spanish translations. See our visa translation services for the full list of documents by visa type.
SENESCYT degree recognition. If you're registering a US university degree in Ecuador, your diploma, transcripts, and any supporting academic documents need to be translated into Spanish for SENESCYT submission. Learn more about this process at EcuadorSENESCYT.com.
Legal proceedings in Ecuador. If you're involved in a legal matter in Ecuador — buying property, setting up a business, going through a family law proceeding — any English-language documents you need to present to an Ecuadorian court or notary must be translated into Spanish. Our legal translation services cover this.
Business formation. Opening a business in Ecuador? Corporate documents, articles of incorporation, powers of attorney, and shareholder agreements from the US all need Spanish translations for Ecuador's Superintendencia de Compañías and other regulatory bodies.
Banking and financial. Ecuadorian banks may request translated versions of US financial documents when you're opening accounts, applying for credit, or proving income sources.
How the Process Works
- Gather your English-language documents
- Get apostilles where required (most government-issued US documents need apostilles before Ecuador will accept them)
- Submit for certified English-to-Spanish translation (our team translates the complete document including the apostille)
- Receive your certified translation, ready for submission to the relevant Ecuadorian agency
Spanish to English: Ecuador Documents for US Use
This direction is less common for newcomers but becomes increasingly relevant the longer you live in Ecuador. You have documents issued in Ecuador (in Spanish) that need to be translated into English for use in the United States or other English-speaking countries.
When You Need Spanish-to-English Translation
US tax filing. If you're filing US taxes from Ecuador (all US citizens and permanent residents must file, regardless of where they live), you may need English translations of Ecuadorian income statements, tax receipts (SRI documents), or business records. Our partner site EcuaPass can point you toward tax resources as well.
Medical records. If you received medical treatment in Ecuador and need those records for a US insurance claim, a US doctor, or a legal matter in the States, the Spanish-language medical records need certified English translation.
Legal matters in the US. Ecuadorian court documents, notarized agreements, property records, or civil registry documents (birth, marriage, death certificates issued in Ecuador) that need to be presented in US courts or to US government agencies require certified English translation.
Immigration to or from the US. If you or a family member is applying for US immigration benefits and have Ecuador-issued documents (marriage certificates, birth certificates of children born in Ecuador, police records), those need certified English translations for USCIS.
Education. Applying to a US university or transferring credits from an Ecuadorian institution? Academic transcripts and diplomas issued in Spanish will need certified English translations.
How the Process Works
- Obtain certified copies of your Ecuadorian documents
- Get apostilles from Ecuador's Cancillería if the documents will be used officially in the US (Ecuador is a Hague Convention member, so their apostilles are accepted)
- Submit for certified Spanish-to-English translation
- Receive your certified translation, ready for submission to US agencies
When You Need Both Directions
Some situations require translations in both directions. This is more common than people expect:
Dual-country legal matters. If you're going through a divorce, custody arrangement, or estate matter that involves both US and Ecuadorian courts, documents will flow in both directions. US court orders need Spanish translations for Ecuador, and Ecuadorian court orders need English translations for the US.
Business with operations in both countries. Contracts, corporate filings, and regulatory documents may need to exist in both languages, depending on which jurisdiction they're being filed in.
Ongoing immigration and residency. You might need English-to-Spanish translations for your initial Ecuador visa application, and then later need Spanish-to-English translations of your Ecuador cédula, visa approval, or other Ecuadorian documents for US purposes.
Medical continuity. You might translate US medical records into Spanish for your Ecuadorian doctor, and later translate Ecuadorian treatment records into English for your US provider or insurer.
Does the Process Differ Between Directions?
The core process — certified translation by qualified translators with a signed certification statement — is the same in both directions. However, there are some practical differences:
Formatting expectations vary. Ecuadorian agencies have specific formatting expectations for translated documents that differ from what US agencies expect. Our certified translators know the requirements for both sides and format accordingly.
Apostille sources differ. US documents get apostilled by US authorities (Secretary of State or Department of State). Ecuadorian documents get apostilled by Ecuador's Cancillería. The apostille process is similar in concept but involves different offices.
Terminology standards differ. Legal and institutional terminology doesn't translate one-to-one between systems. A "notario" in Ecuador has a very different role than a "notary public" in the US. Our team understands these distinctions and translates accordingly — not just the words, but the institutional context.
Not Sure What You Need?
If you're not certain which direction — or both — your translations need to go, that's completely normal. The answer depends on your specific situation, and we're happy to help you figure it out before you spend anything.
Contact us with a brief description of what you're trying to accomplish, and we'll tell you exactly which documents need translation, in which direction, and whether apostilles are required. No charge for that guidance.
Need documents translated in either direction? Get a free quote — we handle both English-to-Spanish and Spanish-to-English with the same certified quality.